Shoe with drainable ports

ABSTRACT

A shoe includes, in combination a sole having a main wall and a side wall upwardly extending from the periphery of the main wall, an upper secured to the sole side wall and arranged to form a foot receiving cavity with the sole, and a plurality of drain ports on opposite sides of the sole and communicating the cavity to exterior space outside the shoe to drain liquid within the cavity to the exterior space. The drain ports extend through the sole side wall and are at least partially located below a top surface of the sole main wall. The sole has drain channels laterally extending between pairs of the drain ports which direct liquid toward the drain ports. The shoe also includes an insole located within the cavity and supported by the sole and a liner located within the cavity and between the insole and the sole. The liner is secured to at least one of the upper and the sole and is provided with openings at the drain channels so that liquid in the cavity can pass through the openings to the drain channel. The insole is provided with passages so that liquid in the cavity can pass through the passages to the liner. The drain ports are each provided with an eyelet secured to the sole and screen to limit passage of solids though the drain ports. Preferably, there are four pairs of the drain ports located on opposite sides of the sole and there are four drain channels respectively extending between the four pairs of the drain ports.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention generally relates to shoe construction and,more particularly, to a shoe having self-draining ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is well know that shoes, such as leather shoes, withoutspecial treatment allow penetration of outside moisture into theinterior of the shoe and thus the wearer's feat can get wet. This is doto the porous nature of shoe construction, such as stitching, the porousnature of many materials used, such as leather. One approach to solvethis problem has been to “waterproof” leather shoes by application ofoil, wax, latex or rubber. While such methods close the leather, they donot close other openings such as at the stitching. Thus water still canenter the shoe and remain inside until the shoe is removed and the waterdrained. Another approach has been to construct shoes which arecompletely waterproof, such as rubber or plastic shoes. While such shoesprevent the entry of water, these shoes are generally uncomfortable anddo not allow the feet to breath. Thus, resulting in perspirationmoisture gather inside the shoe and remaining inside until the shoe isremoved. Yet another approach has been to provide an inner linerconstructed from water impervious but perspiration vapor imperviousmaterial such as GORE-TEX or SYMPATEX. While this approach mayadequately keep the foot dry, a large amount of water can accumulate inthe shoe and remain inside until the shoe is removed. This isparticularly a problem when the shoes are worn near or in sources ofwater such as are boat and fishing shoes. Accordingly, there is a needin the art for a shoe which does not allow liquid or moisture toaccumulate and remain therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a terminal or rod-end assembly ofa motion-transmitting remote-control cable assembly which overcomes atleast some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According tothe present invention, a shoe includes, in combination, a sole, an uppersecured to the sole and arranged to form a foot receiving cavity withthe sole, and at least one drain port in the sole and communicating thecavity to exterior space outside the shoe to drain liquid within thecavity to the exterior space.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a shoeincludes, in combination, a sole having a main wall and a side wallupwardly extending from the periphery of the main wall, an upper securedto the sole side wall and arranged to form a foot receiving cavity withthe sole, and at least one drain port in the sole and communicating thecavity to exterior space outside the shoe to drain liquid within thecavity to the exterior space. The drain port is at least partiallylocated below a top surface of the sole main wall and the sole has adrain channel which directs liquid toward the drain port. The shoe alsoincludes an insole located within the cavity and supported by the sole,and a liner located within the cavity and between the insole and thesole. The liner is secured to at least one of the upper and the sole andis provided with at least one opening at the drain channel so thatliquid in the cavity can pass through the opening to the drain channel.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a shoeincludes, in combination, a sole having a main wall and a side wallupwardly extending from the periphery of the main wall, an upper securedto the sole side wall and arranged to form a foot receiving cavity withthe sole, and a plurality of drain ports on opposite sides of the soleand communicating the cavity to exterior space outside the shoe to drainliquid within the cavity to the exterior space. The drain ports are atleast partially located below a top surface of the sole main wall andthe sole has a drain channel laterally extending between a pair of thedrain ports which directs liquid toward the drain ports.

[0009] From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detaileddescription of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the present invention provides asignificant advance in the technology of shoe construction. Particularlysignificant in this regard is the potential the invention affords forproviding a high quality, reliable, self draining, easily assembled anddisassembled, shoe. Additional features and advantages of variouspreferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detaileddescription provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and further features of the present invention will beapparent with reference to the following description and drawings,wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of shoe with drainable portsaccording a preferred embodiment of the present invention

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shoe of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the shoe of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an outsole of the shoe of FIGS. 1-3;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the outsole of FIG. 4 takenalong line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the outsole of FIG. 4 takenalong line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

[0017]FIG. 7 is an end view of an eyelet of the shoe of FIGS. 1-3;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a side view of the eyelet of FIG. 7;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the eyelet of FIGS. 7 and 8taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

[0020]FIG. 10 is an end view of a ferule of the shoe of FIGS. 1-3;

[0021]FIG. 11 is a side view of the ferule of FIG. 10; and

[0022]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the ferule of FIGS. 10 and 11taken along line 1212 of FIG. 11.

[0023] It should be understood that the appended drawings are notnecessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation ofvarious preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of theinvention. The specific design features of the drain ports as disclosedherein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, andshapes of the eyelet will be determined in part by the particularintended application and use environment. Certain features of theillustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative toothers to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. Inparticular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity orillustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwiseindicated, refer to the orientation of the shoe illustrated in thedrawings. In general, up or upward refers to an upward direction in theplane of the paper in FIG. 2 and down or downward refers to a downwarddirection in the plane of the paper in FIG. 2. Also in general, fore orforward refers to a direction toward the front of the shoe which istoward the right in the plane of the paper of FIG. 2 and aft or rearwardrefers to a direction toward the rear of the shoe which is toward theleft within the plane of the paper in FIG. 2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, tothose who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, thatmany uses and design variations are possible for the improved shoeconstruction disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion ofvarious alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate thegeneral principles of the invention with reference to a boat or fishingshoe. Other embodiments suitable for other applications such as, forexample, a work or hunting boot or an athletic shoe will be apparent tothose skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

[0025] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show a shoe 10 to beworn on a person's foot according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. The shoe 10 includes an upper 12 forming a footreceiving cavity 14, an sole 16 having a plurality of drain ports 18 fordraining liquid and/or moisture from the cavity 14, insole 20 locatedwithin the upper 12 and above the sole 16, and a liner 22 located withinthe upper 12 and between the insole 20 and the sole 16.

[0026] While construction of the upper 12 may vary, the illustratedupper has a plurality of panels 24 forming the cavity 14 and an opening26 at the rear of the shoe 12 for placement of a person's foot into thecavity 14. The illustrated panels 24 are leather but other suitablematerials can be utilized. The illustrated panels 24 are securedtogether by stitching 28 but can be alternatively secured together byother suitable methods. The illustrated upper 12 is provided with sideand rear cutout portions 30 covered with a light weight flexiblematerial such as fabric, thin leather, or other suitable materialsecured to the main leather panels 24. The cutout portions 30 reduce theweight of the shoe 12 and make the shoe 12 more breathable, that is, topermit air and moisture to pass through the panels 24. The illustratedupper 12 is also provided with a plurality of small apertures orpunctures 32 which further aid in making the shoe 12 more breathable,that is to permit air and moisture to pass through the panels 24. Theillustrated upper has a tongue 34 secured at its bottom and at the frontof the opening 26. The illustrated tongue 34 a light weight flexiblematerial such as fabric, thin leather, or other suitable material butalternatively can be formed of the same material as the main panels. Theillustrated upper 12 also has conventional front lacing 36 engageable ineyelets 38 along opposed sides of the tongue 34. The upper 12 may alsobe provided with suitable lining and/or padding as desired.

[0027] As best shown in FIGS. 3-6, the sole 16 includes an outsole 40having a main or bottom wall 42 which forms the bottom of the shoe 12and a side wall 44 which upwardly extends around the periphery of thebottom wall 42. The bottom surface of the main wall 42 is preferablyadapted to be a non-skid surface. The upper surface 48 of the main wall42 has drain passages or channels 50 formed therein as described in moredetail hereinafter. The illustrated side wall 44 is sized and shaped sothat the upper 12 can be secured to the sole 16, preferably by stitching52 the upper 12 to the sole 16. It is noted, however, that otherconstruction methods of securing the upper 12 to the sole 16 can beutilized such as, for example, the use of adhesives and/or midsoles. Theoutsole 40 is preferably molded of a rubber or elastomer material butcan alternatively be formed of other suitable materials.

[0028] The plurality of drain ports or apertures 18 include openings orapertures 54 formed in the side wall 44 of the outsole 40 so that liquidor moisture within the shoe cavity 14 can automatically drain out of theshoe 12 by gravity and movement of the shoe 12. The illustrated outsole40 is provided with eight drain ports 18 which includes four pairs ofthe drain ports 18 located on opposite sides of the outsole 40. Thefirst pair 18 a of the drain ports 18 is located at the forward or toeregion 56 of the outsole 40. The second pair 18 b of the drain ports 18is located just forward of an arch region 58 of the outsole 40. Thethird pair 18 c of the drain ports 18 is located just rearward of thearch region 58 of the outsole 40. The fourth pair 18 d of the drainports 18 is located at a rearward or heal portion 60 of the outsole 40.The illustrated drain ports 18 include the circular openings 54 whichhorizontally extend through the side wall 44 of the out sole 40. Theopenings 54 preferably have a diameter of about {fraction (3/16)} inchesbut can have other suitable dimensions. The openings 54 are preferablyvertically positioned so that they are located at least partially belowthe top or upper surface 48 of the outsole 48. It is noted that thedrain ports 18 can alternatively have any suitable size, shape, locationand orientation.

[0029] The drain channels 50 are formed in the upper surface 48 at thedrain ports 18 so that liquids and moisture can be directed to the drainports 18 below the upper surface 48 of the outsole 40. Preferably, thedrain channels 50 extend laterally across the outsole 40 between thepairs of the drain ports 18. The illustrated outsole 40 has four drainchannels 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d corresponding to the four pairs 18 a, 18b, 18 c, 18 d of drain ports 18. The first drain channel 18 a is locatedat the forward or toe region 56 of the outsole 40 and connecting thefirst pair 18 a of drain ports 18. The second drain channel 50 b islocated just forward of an arch region 58 of the outsole 40 andconnecting the second pair 18 b of drain ports 18. The third drainchannel 50 c is located just rearward of the arch region 58 of theoutsole 40 and connecting the third pair 18 c of drain ports 18. Thefourth drain channel 50 d is located at the rearward or heal portion 60of the outsole 40 and connecting the fourth pair 18 d of drain ports 18.It is noted, however, that the drain ports 18 can alternatively haveindividual drain channels 50 or more than two drain ports 18 can beconnected by one of the drain channels 50.

[0030] The illustrated drain channels 50 have a generally rectangularshape in cross section having a generally flat bottom wall 62 andopposed generally flat side walls 64 extending upwardly from the sidesof the bottom wall 62. Shaped in this manner the drain channels 50 areopen at their top so that water or moisture with the shoe cavity 14 canenter the drain channels 50 and be directed toward the drain ports 18 toexit the shoe 12. In this regard, it is noted that the drain channels 50can be advantageously arched or angled downwardly toward the drain ports18 to aid in the flow of liquid and moisture toward the drain ports 18.It is also noted that the drain channels 50 can alternatively have othershapes in cross-section such as, for example, square, triangular, orarcuate.

[0031] The drain ports 18 preferably each include an eyelet 66 therein.As best shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the illustrated eyelet 66 includes atubular portion 68, a flange portion 70, and an attachment portion 72.The tubular portion 68 forms a hollow interior passage 74 that extendsthe length of the eyelet 66 for the passage of liquid or moisturethrough the eyelet 66. The tubular portion 68 is sized and shaped toextend through the drain port opening 54 in the outsole 40. The flangeportion 70 outwardly extends from an outer end of the tubular portion 68in a radial direction and is preferably sized and shaped to secure theeyelet 66 to the outsole 40 by preventing the passage of the eyelet 66entirely through the drain port opening 54. The illustrated attachmentportion 72 is a plurality of fingers 76 formed at the inner end of thetubular portion 68 opposite the flange portion 70. The fingers 76 aresized and shaped so that they can be plastically deformed in an outwarddirection to secure the eyelet 66 to the outsole 40 within the drainport opening 54 as described in more detail hereinafter. The illustratedeyelet 66 is metal but the eyelet 66 can alternatively be formed of anyother suitable material.

[0032] The illustrated eyelet 66 is provided with a screen 78 tosubstantially prevent the passage of objects into the drain port 18 anddrain channel 50. The screen 78 is preferably provided with a pluralityof small openings or apertures 80, substantially smaller than the drainport opening 54 itself, which permit the passage of liquids therethroughbut block most solid objects other than small particles. The illustratedscreen 78 has a main panel 82 which is generally flat and a flange 84extending around the periphery of the main panel 82. The plurality ofsmall openings 80 are provided in the main panel 82. The flange 84 issized and shaped to extend over the edge of the of the eyelet flangeportion 70 to secure the screen 78 to the eyelet flange portion 70. Itis noted that while the illustrated screen 78 is a separate componentfrom the eyelet 66 and secured to the eyelet 66 by the flange 84, thescreen 78 can be alternatively formed unitary with the eyelet 66 oralternatively secured to the eyelet 66 in other suitable manners. Theillustrated screen 78 is generally oval shaped but the screen 78 can bealternatively sized and shaped in any suitable manner.

[0033] The illustrated eyelet 66 is preferably attached utilizing aferrule 86 at the inner side of the outsole side wall 44. As best shownin FIGS. 10 to 12, the ferrule 86 includes a tubular portion 88 and aflange portion 90. The tubular portion 88 forms a hollow interiorpassage 92 that extends the length of the ferrule 86 for the passage ofthe eyelet 66 and liquid or moisture through the ferrule 86. The tubularportion 88 is sized and shaped to partially extend through the drainport opening 54 of the outsole 40 and over the tubular portion 68 of theeyelet 66. The flange portion 90 outwardly extends in a radial directionfrom an outer end of the tubular portion 88 and is preferably sized andshaped to secure the ferrule 86 to the outsole side wall 44 bypreventing the passage of the ferrule 86 entirely through the drain portopening 54. The flange portion 90 preferably has an arcuate shape to aidin the deformation and holding of the fingers 76 of the eyelet 66. Theillustrated ferrule 86 is metal but the ferrule 86 can alternatively beformed of any other suitable material.

[0034] As best shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the eyelet 66 is secured to theoutsole side wall 44 by extending the tubular portion 68 of the eyelet66 though the drain port opening 54 with the screen 78 and flangeportion 70 engaging the outer surface of the outsole side wall 44. It isnoted that the drain port opening 54 is preferably provided with acounter bore or recess 94 at the outer surface of the outsole side wall44 to at least partially receive the eyelet flange portion 70 and/orscreen therein 78. The ferrule 86 is placed over the tubular portion 68of the eyelet 66 and extends into the drain port opening 54 with theflange portion 90 of the ferrule 86 engaging the inner surface of theoutsole side wall 44. The fingers 76 of the eyelet 66 are plasticallydeformed radially outward over the flange portion 90 of the ferrule 86.Installed in this manner, the eyelet 66 is secured to the outsole sidewall 44 within the drain port opening 54. Liquid and moisture within thedrain channel 50 is free to pass through the interior passage 74 of theeyelet 66 and the small openings 80 of the screen 78 to exit the shoe 12to the exterior space surrounding the shoe 12.

[0035] As best shown in FIG. 3, the insole 20 is located within the shoecavity and supported by the upper surface 48 of the outsole 40. Theinsole 20 is preferably shaped to substantially cover the entire uppersurface 48 of the outsole 40 and to provide support for the person'sfoot when located within the shoe cavity 14. The insole 20 alsopreferably provides both cushioning for the person's foot and a softupper surface for engagement by the person's foot. The illustratedinsole 20 is a composite of a lower layer of a foamed polymer materialand an upper layer of fabric. It is noted, however, that the insole 20can be alternatively formed of other suitable materials. The insole 20is provided with a plurality of openings or passages 96 verticallyextending entirely therethrough to provide passages for liquids andmoisture to pass through the insole 20. The openings 96 are preferablyprovided in each of the toe, arch and heal regions 56, 58, 60 of theshoe 12.

[0036] As best shown in FIG. 3, the liner 22 is located within the shoecavity 14 and supported by the upper surface 48 of the outsole 40. Theliner 22 is located between the outsole 40 and the insole 20. The liner22 is preferably shaped to substantially cover the entire upper surface48 of the outsole 40. The liner 22 preferably formed of material whichis impervious to water, impervious to water but pervious to water vapor,or partially impervious to water. It is noted, however, that the liner22 can be alternatively formed of other suitable materials such as waterpervious materials. The liner 22 is provided with a plurality ofopenings 98 vertically extending entirely therethrough to providepassages for liquids and moisture to pass through the liner 22 from theshoe cavity 14 to the drain channels 50. The openings 98 are provided atthe drain channels 50 so that liquids passing through the openings 98directly enter the drain channels 50. The illustrated liner 22 has fourrows of the openings 98 corresponding to the four drain channels 50 a,50 b, 50 c, 50 d. The liner 22 is preferably secured to the upper 12 bystitching and also adhered to the upper surface 48 of the outsole 40such as by adhesive. It is noted however that the liner 22 can besecured to the upper 12 and/or outsole 40 in other suitable manners.Preferably, the insole 20 is removable from the shoe cavity 14 andsupported on the liner 22 but can alternatively be secured to the upper12, liner 22, and/or sole 16 in any suitable manner if desired.

[0037] From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the shoe 12according to the present invention is self draining. Any liquids such aswater entering the shoe cavity through the opening 26 or other passagesor openings in the upper 12 or perspiration or other moisture formedwithin the shoe cavity 14 will automatically drain from the shoe cavity14 by dropping to the insole 20, passing through the openings 96 of theinsole 20, and passing through the openings 98 of the liner 22 to thedrain channels 50. Once in the drain channels 50 below the liner 22,liquid is directed by the channels 50 to the drain ports 18 where liquidpasses through the interior passage 74 of the eyelet 66 and the smallopenings 80 of the screen 78 to exit the shoe 12 to ambient or exteriorspace surrounding the shoe 12. The shoe 12 is self draining in thatliquid automatically drains from the shoe cavity 14 by gravity andmovement of the shoe 12 without removal of the person's foot from theshoe 12. It is apparent that the present invention has particularapplicability to types of shoes which are typically worn around waterand other liquids such as the illustrated boat or fishing shoe. Itshould be noted, however, that the present invention is also applicableto other types of shoes 12 such as athletic shoes, work boots, huntingboots, and hiking boots.

[0038] From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certainpreferred embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications,additions and other alternative embodiments are possible withoutdeparting from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. Forexample, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, given thebenefit of the present disclosure, that the upper 12, the sole 16, theeyelet 66, and the screen 78 can each have many different configurationsand can be formed of many different materials. The embodiments discussedwere chosen and described to provide the best illustration of theprinciples of the present invention and its practical application tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the inventionin various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variationsare within the scope of the present invention as determined by theappended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to whichthey are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe comprising, in combination: a sole; anupper secured to the sole and arranged to form a foot receiving cavitywith the sole; and at least one drain port in the sole and communicatingthe cavity to exterior space outside the shoe to drain liquid within thecavity to the exterior space.
 2. The shoe according to claim 1, whereinsole has a main wall and a side wall upwardly extending from theperiphery of the main wall and the drain port extends through the sidewall.
 3. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the drain port is atleast partially located below a top surface of the sole main wall. 4.The shoe according to claim 3, wherein the sole has a drain channelformed in the top surface to direct liquid toward the drain port.
 5. Theshoe according to claim 4, further comprising an insole located withinthe cavity and supported by the sole and a liner located within thecavity and between the insole and the sole, and wherein the liner issecured to at least one of the upper and the sole and is provided withat least one opening at the drain channel so that liquid in the cavitycan pass through the opening to the drain channel.
 6. The shoe accordingto claim 5, wherein the insole is provided with at least one passage sothat liquid in the cavity can pass through the passage to the liner. 7.The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the drain port is provided withan eyelet secured to the sole.
 8. The shoe according to claim 7, whereinthe eyelet is provided with a screen to limit passage of solids thoughthe drain port.
 9. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the drain portis provided with a screen to limit passage of solids though the drainport.
 10. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of thedrain ports are provided and located on opposite sides of the sole. 11.The shoe according to claim 10, wherein sole has a main wall and a sidewall upwardly extending from the periphery of the main wall and thedrain ports extend through the side wall, the sole has a drain channelformed in the top surface and laterally extending between a pair of thedrain ports to direct liquid toward the drain ports.
 12. A shoecomprising, in combination: a sole having a main wall and a side wallupwardly extending from the periphery of the main wall; an upper securedto the sole side wall and arranged to form a foot receiving cavity withthe sole; at least one drain port in the sole and communicating thecavity to exterior space outside the shoe to drain liquid within thecavity to the exterior space; wherein the drain port is at leastpartially located below a top surface of the sole main wall and the solehas a drain channel which directs liquid toward the drain port; aninsole located within the cavity and supported by the sole; a linerlocated within the cavity and between the insole and the sole; andwherein the liner is secured to at least one of the upper and the soleand is provided with at least one opening at the drain channel so thatliquid in the cavity can pass through the opening to the drain channel.13. The shoe according to claim 12, the drain port extends through thesole side wall.
 14. The shoe according to claim 12, wherein the insoleis provided with at least one passage so that liquid in the cavity canpass through the passage to the liner.
 15. The shoe according to claim12, wherein the drain port is provided with an eyelet secured to thesole.
 16. The shoe according to claim 15, wherein the eyelet is providedwith a screen to limit passage of solids though the drain port.
 17. Theshoe according to claim 12, wherein the drain port is provided with ascreen to limit passage of solids though the drain port.
 18. The shoeaccording to claim 12, wherein a plurality of the drain ports areprovided and located on opposite sides of the sole.
 19. The shoeaccording to claim 18, wherein the drain channel laterally extendsbetween a pair of the drain ports to direct liquid toward the drainports.
 20. A shoe comprising, in combination: a sole having a main walland a side wall upwardly extending from the periphery of the main wall;an upper secured to the sole side wall and arranged to form a footreceiving cavity with the sole; a plurality of drain ports on oppositesides of the sole and communicating the cavity to exterior space outsidethe shoe to drain liquid within the cavity to the exterior space; andwherein the drain ports are at least partially located below a topsurface of the sole main wall and the sole has a drain channel laterallyextending between a pair of the drain ports which directs liquid towardthe drain ports.
 21. The shoe according to claim 20, the drain portsextend through the sole side wall.
 22. The shoe according to claim 20,further comprising an insole located within the cavity and supported bythe sole and a liner located within the cavity and between the insoleand the sole, and wherein the liner is secured to at least one of theupper and the sole and is provided with at least one opening at thedrain channel so that liquid in the cavity can pass through the openingto the drain channel.
 23. The shoe according to claim 22, wherein theinsole is provided with at least one passage so that liquid in thecavity can pass through the passage to the liner.
 24. The shoe accordingto claim 20, wherein the drain ports are each provided with an eyeletsecured to the sole.
 25. The shoe according to claim 24, wherein theeyelet is provided with a screen to limit passage of solids though thedrain ports.
 26. The shoe according to claim 20, wherein the drain portsare each provided with a screen to limit passage of solids though thedrain ports.
 27. The shoe according to claim 20, wherein there are fourpairs of the drain ports located on opposite sides of the sole and thereare four of the drain channels respectively extending between the fourpairs of the drain ports.